I ventured outside today for a brief time. The temperature was nearly 40°, and I knew I needed to get a layer of snow off the truck so it could begin to melt away before Monday when I will have to get the truck out to the road for another trip to Albuquerque.
For starters, I had to shovel snow off the steps. Thank goodness Terri had cleared a little over half of each step while she was here, because the side that she didn't clear was over 18 inches deep! All I had to clear was about 10 inches. It just flew off, already partially melted and easy to move. And thank goodness for that, since I'm guessing shoveling snow isn't in the list of things I'm allowed to do. Just my guess.
When I got to the bottom of the steps, I traipsed to the truck. With the several snow falls that haven't melted, the huge amounts that have fallen off the trees, and what I shoveled off the steps, I found myself wading almost to my knees! Lawdy, I don't know how long it will be before this all melts!
Once I was at the truck I took the wide broom and pushed snow off the truck. It came off pretty easily, as it had already melted quite a bit underneath. At this point I was standing in snow over my knees! I couldn't believe it! Again, I can't imagine how long it will be before all this melts, even with the warmer weather that is coming now, I just can't imagine this amount of snow leaving in less than a couple weeks. And another storm is due on Wednesday and Thursday.
When we went to Albuquerque earlier this week, I found that there was about 2.5 inches of solid ice in the bed of my truck with another 3 inches of snow on top of that. Today, I found about the same amount of ice, but now there is over a foot of snow there, as well. I'm not about to try to get that out. I'll just leave it .... and maybe have a swimming pool when it melts! No, I'm joking. The bed has drains in it for the water to run off, of course.
I've not had a winter like this since moving here. It is amazing me! And I love it, too. I'm not gong to like the mud that follows all this, but that's part of the deal, isn't it? I love where I live, I really do.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
More .... white stuff, shhhhhh.
I know, I know. Caroline warned me to quit teasing her with these pictures, but I can't help it! These were just at sundown, and are so pretty!
Well, who'd a-thunk it?
I slept for nearly 9 hours last night, and I feel rested this morning. Isn't sleep amazing? So restorative. However, I went to sleep too early, because I woke and couldn't go back to sleep, and it was before 6:00 AM. Now, if I worked and had somewhere to go, that would be a good thing, but obviously I don't. I need to stay up till at least 10:00 tonight.
When I woke, I knew there would be fresh snow. It was in the forecast and was pretty much a "given," although the amount was not clear. Damn Albuquerque stations ignore this are of the State, for the most part. The forecasters were whining last night that Albuquerque might get 4-6 inches overnight and today. I took a fast peek out the bedroom window, and yes, there was fresh snow and snow falling. After brushing my teeth, washing my face and brushing my hair, I walked to the back door and looked out. Uh, OK, there was about five inches. I didn't expect that, just a couple. I turned on the computer and checked the weather and guess what? I could get anywhere between 10" and 25" today and tonight! Lawdy!!
It is a really good thing that Terri left when she did. Temps are going up to the 40s and 50s beginning Saturday, but even with that, it will take a few days to be reasonably melted. I'm hoping it will melt off enough that I can get to Albuquerque on Monday. If not .... well, I won't be a happy camper, at all!
Since I have no control over this (I know, y'all think I'm powerful, but not so much as you think) I'm staying tucked in, warm and cozy just watching the snow fall. And fall. And FALL!!!!!
So, Merry Chr... oh no, that's passed, isn't it? Well, Merry Snow Fall!!!!!!!!!!!!
TODAY'S A JAMMIE DAY AT MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you can't get here to make me get dressed! Na, ner, na, ner!!!
When I woke, I knew there would be fresh snow. It was in the forecast and was pretty much a "given," although the amount was not clear. Damn Albuquerque stations ignore this are of the State, for the most part. The forecasters were whining last night that Albuquerque might get 4-6 inches overnight and today. I took a fast peek out the bedroom window, and yes, there was fresh snow and snow falling. After brushing my teeth, washing my face and brushing my hair, I walked to the back door and looked out. Uh, OK, there was about five inches. I didn't expect that, just a couple. I turned on the computer and checked the weather and guess what? I could get anywhere between 10" and 25" today and tonight! Lawdy!!
It is a really good thing that Terri left when she did. Temps are going up to the 40s and 50s beginning Saturday, but even with that, it will take a few days to be reasonably melted. I'm hoping it will melt off enough that I can get to Albuquerque on Monday. If not .... well, I won't be a happy camper, at all!
Since I have no control over this (I know, y'all think I'm powerful, but not so much as you think) I'm staying tucked in, warm and cozy just watching the snow fall. And fall. And FALL!!!!!
So, Merry Chr... oh no, that's passed, isn't it? Well, Merry Snow Fall!!!!!!!!!!!!
TODAY'S A JAMMIE DAY AT MY HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And you can't get here to make me get dressed! Na, ner, na, ner!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Doin' good!
Yesterday's trip to the doctor in Albuquerque went very well. The doctor is pleased with how I'm doing and the result of the surgery. I will have to go back next week for another check. I sort of expected that, but had hoped it might be the last one for a while. It's OK, better safe than sorry, right?
After the appointment, we had lunch with my friend from childhood who drove down from Santa Fe. It was a wonderful lunch, with three of my favorite people!
Then we flew to Whole Foods for one purpose. I had to buy a pie for my neighbor as a thank you. That's a story for another day!
Then back in the car and down the highway to the airport. Terri did well navigating around in my truck, much larger than she is accustomed to driving. We got there right on schedule for Terri to be cleared for her flight back to Florida, Linda took the wheel, and she and I headed home. We stopped to get ice cream about 30 minutes south of Albuquerque, and while at Cold Stone Creamery, my phone rang. It was Terri, and my heart stopped. Oh no! There must be a problem with her flight!
And what did she say? "I blame you, Mom." WHAT?
As she was going through security, a scan of her laptop set off alarms! Not the bag, mind you, and not Terri herself, but the computer held traces of ...... explosives!?!?!?!? Lord help me, my daughter is a terrorist! After checking every inch of her body and everything she wore or carried, the asked her some questions, and when she said the purpose of her trip was to care for me following surgery, they narrowed it down to her having handled my medications and transferred the residue to her laptop!! Good grief! Yes, she was cleared and was back home by late last night, thank goodness. Of course, I'm left wondering what the hell is the doctor giving me????
The rest of the trip home was uneventful for Linda and I. We stopped where she left her truck about 20 miles from my own home, and I drove that last bit alone. She does not have 4WD, and with the backroads as they are, she couldn't have made it to my home. It felt rather good to be behind the wheel again, but I'm glad it was a short trip. I was tired.
I was in bed shortly after 8:00 last night, and except for the text message from Terri telling me she was home safe, I slept straight through the night, waking after 7:00 this morning.
I'm staying in for the next few days. After two days of trips, I need the rest. We are also expecting another storm tonight and tomorrow. I haven't heard about the details, so it might not limit me from leaving the house, but I don't really care to, anyway. I'm going to do next to nothing except rest and sleep.
After the appointment, we had lunch with my friend from childhood who drove down from Santa Fe. It was a wonderful lunch, with three of my favorite people!
Then we flew to Whole Foods for one purpose. I had to buy a pie for my neighbor as a thank you. That's a story for another day!
Then back in the car and down the highway to the airport. Terri did well navigating around in my truck, much larger than she is accustomed to driving. We got there right on schedule for Terri to be cleared for her flight back to Florida, Linda took the wheel, and she and I headed home. We stopped to get ice cream about 30 minutes south of Albuquerque, and while at Cold Stone Creamery, my phone rang. It was Terri, and my heart stopped. Oh no! There must be a problem with her flight!
And what did she say? "I blame you, Mom." WHAT?
As she was going through security, a scan of her laptop set off alarms! Not the bag, mind you, and not Terri herself, but the computer held traces of ...... explosives!?!?!?!? Lord help me, my daughter is a terrorist! After checking every inch of her body and everything she wore or carried, the asked her some questions, and when she said the purpose of her trip was to care for me following surgery, they narrowed it down to her having handled my medications and transferred the residue to her laptop!! Good grief! Yes, she was cleared and was back home by late last night, thank goodness. Of course, I'm left wondering what the hell is the doctor giving me????
The rest of the trip home was uneventful for Linda and I. We stopped where she left her truck about 20 miles from my own home, and I drove that last bit alone. She does not have 4WD, and with the backroads as they are, she couldn't have made it to my home. It felt rather good to be behind the wheel again, but I'm glad it was a short trip. I was tired.
I was in bed shortly after 8:00 last night, and except for the text message from Terri telling me she was home safe, I slept straight through the night, waking after 7:00 this morning.
I'm staying in for the next few days. After two days of trips, I need the rest. We are also expecting another storm tonight and tomorrow. I haven't heard about the details, so it might not limit me from leaving the house, but I don't really care to, anyway. I'm going to do next to nothing except rest and sleep.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Big day!
Today Terri is taking me on my first "outing" since surgery! Woohoo!! We are going into Ruidoso for lunch with Allan. They haven't seen each other due to (1) weather, (2) my recuperation, and (3) his work schedule. So this is a big day for all of us!
After lunch we will stop at Walmart for a few necessary items. It will be good to see how I do with a 3-4 hour adventure. Tomorrow is my checkup in Albuquerque, followed by Terri's return to her home in Florida. I will hate to see her go, but it is time. And she will be delighted to get home to her warm temps, for sure!
And now .... I gotta get in the shower! Time's a-wastin'!!!
After lunch we will stop at Walmart for a few necessary items. It will be good to see how I do with a 3-4 hour adventure. Tomorrow is my checkup in Albuquerque, followed by Terri's return to her home in Florida. I will hate to see her go, but it is time. And she will be delighted to get home to her warm temps, for sure!
And now .... I gotta get in the shower! Time's a-wastin'!!!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thankful for Terri
First of all, let me say that whether or not I'm responding to your comments, please know I'm reading all of them. I deeply appreciate each and every one of them.
I continuing to do well. I'm a bit tired, of course, and I'm not pushing it. I know it is going to take me a while to be back to my "normal" energy and alertness level, and I have lots of Kindle books and movies and word/number puzzles to keep me occupied till I'm on top once more.
Thank goodness Terri is here! The snow turned out to be probably about 10-12 inches, followed by pretty serious winds, melting on the roof, and sliding off to make messes in front of several doors. She has cleaned the piles of snow in front of the dogs door and their path to the back yard, something I could not have done.
The dogs were thankful. As you see here, they lined up to worship their goddess. ;D Seriously, they have really bonded with her. When she was here in July, they got to know her, but the distraction of the two children also cut into the bonding. This time is a whole different story. They really like to cuddle with her or sit with her, I think as much as they do me. Lola has slept with Terri two of the nights, and the others have visited her off and on through the night. I'm not letting them sleep on my bed yet, because if they pin me down, as they often do, with two on my right and two on my left, I'm not sure I could move them to get up just yet. I think by the time she goes home I will be able to allow them back on my bed.
Jazi has been breaking the rules anyway! We moved the cedar chest which sits at the foot of my bed about three feet away. The doggie steps leading from the floor to the chest are under a rocking chair in the bedroom, so their path should have been blocked. Little Jazi has jumped onto the chest and from the chest to my bed two nights! I didn't know how she did it the first night, but I was awake and saw her last night. What a determined little character she is! Thank goodness the others haven't caught on! Jazi doesn't crowd me, so it has been OK.
Look at this icicle! It must be nearly four feet long! It formed today, and I've watched it grow outside the window. Well, it actually started this morning as about eight inches or a foot, and through the day, the melt and re-freeze made this amazing ice cane.
If you missed my comment yesterday about Max, please know he passed his illicit meal and is doing just fine! Goober dog!! Life is never dull!
Enough for now. Everyone take care, and thanks again for all the nice notes you've left.
Love to all of you!
I continuing to do well. I'm a bit tired, of course, and I'm not pushing it. I know it is going to take me a while to be back to my "normal" energy and alertness level, and I have lots of Kindle books and movies and word/number puzzles to keep me occupied till I'm on top once more.
Thank goodness Terri is here! The snow turned out to be probably about 10-12 inches, followed by pretty serious winds, melting on the roof, and sliding off to make messes in front of several doors. She has cleaned the piles of snow in front of the dogs door and their path to the back yard, something I could not have done.
The dogs were thankful. As you see here, they lined up to worship their goddess. ;D Seriously, they have really bonded with her. When she was here in July, they got to know her, but the distraction of the two children also cut into the bonding. This time is a whole different story. They really like to cuddle with her or sit with her, I think as much as they do me. Lola has slept with Terri two of the nights, and the others have visited her off and on through the night. I'm not letting them sleep on my bed yet, because if they pin me down, as they often do, with two on my right and two on my left, I'm not sure I could move them to get up just yet. I think by the time she goes home I will be able to allow them back on my bed.
Jazi has been breaking the rules anyway! We moved the cedar chest which sits at the foot of my bed about three feet away. The doggie steps leading from the floor to the chest are under a rocking chair in the bedroom, so their path should have been blocked. Little Jazi has jumped onto the chest and from the chest to my bed two nights! I didn't know how she did it the first night, but I was awake and saw her last night. What a determined little character she is! Thank goodness the others haven't caught on! Jazi doesn't crowd me, so it has been OK.
Look at this icicle! It must be nearly four feet long! It formed today, and I've watched it grow outside the window. Well, it actually started this morning as about eight inches or a foot, and through the day, the melt and re-freeze made this amazing ice cane.If you missed my comment yesterday about Max, please know he passed his illicit meal and is doing just fine! Goober dog!! Life is never dull!
Enough for now. Everyone take care, and thanks again for all the nice notes you've left.
Love to all of you!
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Low key stuff
Today is day three. That means I get to take a shower! Boy, am I excited! Isn't it odd how you realize you miss a shower when you can't have one? Anyway, that is my big thrill for the day. The day is early, however, so who knows?
We had some excitement late in the afternoon yesterday. TL discovered that Max had tipped over the bathroom trash, which surprised me. He isn't the one who would usually do that. Anyway, to our further distress, he apparently ate a tampon. Ick factor, 10+. But the biggest concern is could he expel it, especially if he drinks water? A call to the vet shortly before closing time brought a casual response from him. He said no big worry, just feed Max a tablespoon of Vaseline three or so times before bedtime, and then start again this morning. Really? He chuckled and said, yes, it is amazing what dogs .... and sometimes cats .... ingest and expel without as much problem as we would think. His own dachshund swallowed a whole sock a while back and after a whole tube of Vaseline, he pooped it right out! Alrighty, then! No results yet, but we'll be starting the treatment again this morning. I didn't know that Vaseline doesn't digest, but goes right through their bodies. Amazing.
We have about six inches of snow on the ground. It is still snowing this morning, and it is accompanied by some pretty strong winds. I don't know how much more we can expect, but supposedly the worst will be over before noon. Terri, my thin blooded Floridian, is enjoying watching it and simultaneously very glad that she doesn't have to be outside in it! See, it is really good that I'm not quite up to getting out yet, 'cause I'd probably drag her somewhere! No, actually, I'm very happy to stay tucked inside, also. I like snow better with a couple panes of glass between me and the actual stuff!!
That is about the extent of the "news" from here. Dang, I'm boring when I've had surgery, aren't I? :D Yeah, well .......
We had some excitement late in the afternoon yesterday. TL discovered that Max had tipped over the bathroom trash, which surprised me. He isn't the one who would usually do that. Anyway, to our further distress, he apparently ate a tampon. Ick factor, 10+. But the biggest concern is could he expel it, especially if he drinks water? A call to the vet shortly before closing time brought a casual response from him. He said no big worry, just feed Max a tablespoon of Vaseline three or so times before bedtime, and then start again this morning. Really? He chuckled and said, yes, it is amazing what dogs .... and sometimes cats .... ingest and expel without as much problem as we would think. His own dachshund swallowed a whole sock a while back and after a whole tube of Vaseline, he pooped it right out! Alrighty, then! No results yet, but we'll be starting the treatment again this morning. I didn't know that Vaseline doesn't digest, but goes right through their bodies. Amazing.
We have about six inches of snow on the ground. It is still snowing this morning, and it is accompanied by some pretty strong winds. I don't know how much more we can expect, but supposedly the worst will be over before noon. Terri, my thin blooded Floridian, is enjoying watching it and simultaneously very glad that she doesn't have to be outside in it! See, it is really good that I'm not quite up to getting out yet, 'cause I'd probably drag her somewhere! No, actually, I'm very happy to stay tucked inside, also. I like snow better with a couple panes of glass between me and the actual stuff!!
That is about the extent of the "news" from here. Dang, I'm boring when I've had surgery, aren't I? :D Yeah, well .......
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I'm back and fiesty!
Thanks, everyone, for your notes, your thoughts, and your prayers. It worked!
I'm at home (YAY!), and I'm doing very well. I have less pain than I expected, and I'm able to do much more than I expected. My daughter, Terri, is as impressed with my condition as I am. Of course, I'm still on pretty heavy duty pain medication at this time, and I will continue for a couple more days, and then I will phase down and play it by ear.
I'm very thankful to have TL here with me. She is able to fill the gaps of what I can't do, and besides, why would I be anything but pleased to have my daughter all for myself for a week? Hellooooo???? ;D
I'll be back with more chatter later on, but I'm keeping it short for now. I'm still tired and not full of words as I usually am. Thanks, again, you guys! You are the best.
BTW, slip over and give Caroline a shout. She had surgery at the same time I did, and is having a little trouble getting back on her feet. a few cyber hugs or good wishes would be nice for her. Thanks.
I'm at home (YAY!), and I'm doing very well. I have less pain than I expected, and I'm able to do much more than I expected. My daughter, Terri, is as impressed with my condition as I am. Of course, I'm still on pretty heavy duty pain medication at this time, and I will continue for a couple more days, and then I will phase down and play it by ear.
I'm very thankful to have TL here with me. She is able to fill the gaps of what I can't do, and besides, why would I be anything but pleased to have my daughter all for myself for a week? Hellooooo???? ;D
I'll be back with more chatter later on, but I'm keeping it short for now. I'm still tired and not full of words as I usually am. Thanks, again, you guys! You are the best.
BTW, slip over and give Caroline a shout. She had surgery at the same time I did, and is having a little trouble getting back on her feet. a few cyber hugs or good wishes would be nice for her. Thanks.
Monday, January 18, 2010
I'm tired. I cleaned the house thoroughly today. I want it to be clean when I come home, so I don't sit and obsess about what I can't do. And I would do exactly that. Besides, a clean house, clean sheets just seem essential following surgery.
The house smells so nice. I used ammonia and water to clean most things today. I know what you're thinking, "Ammonia stinks!" Yes, it does at the time, but it leaves such a clean smell afterward, when it dries. It is especially helpful on the ceramic tile floors. I was amazed at the mud that was tracked in at the back door by twenty puppy paws! It is nice to have a nice clean floor again. Unfortunately, by the time I come home there will be some more muddy tracks. sigh.
I've made the guest room ready for my daughter, and I'll put fresh sheets on my bed tomorrow, and it will be done. Wonder Boy is house/puppy sitting on Wednesday night, and he is going to sleep on the sleeper sofa so that my bed will be still fresh for me.
I have a few light details to take care of tomorrow. I saved the light stuff so that after I have the massage in the morning, I can take it easy for the remainder of the day.
So .... I'm essentially ready. I'm not nervous yet, and hopefully I won't be too much tomorrow night. Hopefully I can sleep alright tomorrow night. I haven't figured out my sleeping schedule yet. I can eat until midnight, so I will probably have something late. I'm allowed to have water until 5:30 AM, and I'm setting my clock to drink a good glass of water! The surgery is at 1:30 PM. That will be hard. You know, if the surgery is in the morning, you sleep through the night, and then have just a couple to four hours to go without fluids while you're awake, but going without water until 1:30?? Yikes! Eight waking hours!! I'm a person who sips on water all day long. I even wake at night, take a couple swallows of water and go back to sleep. This will not be easy for me.
I'm driving to Albuquerque Wednesday morning. I expect to get there around 11:00 to meet up with my daughter, and we will head toward the surgery center. I'll be back here in Bloggerville Thursday or Friday to let you know I'm alright. And I will be.
A humorous coincidence .... my friend Caroline is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday also. She lives in the Central time zone, and her surgery time is 2:30. Get that? Yep, we are scheduled at the exact same time! Isn't that odd?
I'm watching the weather forecast. Wouldn't you know it? A series of three storms will be moving through in the next few days. It doesn't look like it will be too bad, but my poor daughter, coming in from Florida, is going to freeze! It looks like the storms are timed so it won't interfere with any of our travel Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, as it sorta leap-frogs our plans (It may snow 2-4 inches here tomorrow [I'm not traveling] and Albuquerque will have only a little rain [TL is flying in there late tomorrow]; Wednesday, I'm driving [nothing but light rain in the areas I'll be traveling through]; Thursday no weather until late in the day and we will be driving back here midday.) Great timing if there must be a storm around right now!
OK, I gotta get to bed. I said an hour ago I was going to bed, and got into reading blogs and Facebook! My own fault, but I'm outta here now!
The house smells so nice. I used ammonia and water to clean most things today. I know what you're thinking, "Ammonia stinks!" Yes, it does at the time, but it leaves such a clean smell afterward, when it dries. It is especially helpful on the ceramic tile floors. I was amazed at the mud that was tracked in at the back door by twenty puppy paws! It is nice to have a nice clean floor again. Unfortunately, by the time I come home there will be some more muddy tracks. sigh.
I've made the guest room ready for my daughter, and I'll put fresh sheets on my bed tomorrow, and it will be done. Wonder Boy is house/puppy sitting on Wednesday night, and he is going to sleep on the sleeper sofa so that my bed will be still fresh for me.
I have a few light details to take care of tomorrow. I saved the light stuff so that after I have the massage in the morning, I can take it easy for the remainder of the day.
So .... I'm essentially ready. I'm not nervous yet, and hopefully I won't be too much tomorrow night. Hopefully I can sleep alright tomorrow night. I haven't figured out my sleeping schedule yet. I can eat until midnight, so I will probably have something late. I'm allowed to have water until 5:30 AM, and I'm setting my clock to drink a good glass of water! The surgery is at 1:30 PM. That will be hard. You know, if the surgery is in the morning, you sleep through the night, and then have just a couple to four hours to go without fluids while you're awake, but going without water until 1:30?? Yikes! Eight waking hours!! I'm a person who sips on water all day long. I even wake at night, take a couple swallows of water and go back to sleep. This will not be easy for me.
I'm driving to Albuquerque Wednesday morning. I expect to get there around 11:00 to meet up with my daughter, and we will head toward the surgery center. I'll be back here in Bloggerville Thursday or Friday to let you know I'm alright. And I will be.
A humorous coincidence .... my friend Caroline is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday also. She lives in the Central time zone, and her surgery time is 2:30. Get that? Yep, we are scheduled at the exact same time! Isn't that odd?
I'm watching the weather forecast. Wouldn't you know it? A series of three storms will be moving through in the next few days. It doesn't look like it will be too bad, but my poor daughter, coming in from Florida, is going to freeze! It looks like the storms are timed so it won't interfere with any of our travel Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, as it sorta leap-frogs our plans (It may snow 2-4 inches here tomorrow [I'm not traveling] and Albuquerque will have only a little rain [TL is flying in there late tomorrow]; Wednesday, I'm driving [nothing but light rain in the areas I'll be traveling through]; Thursday no weather until late in the day and we will be driving back here midday.) Great timing if there must be a storm around right now!
OK, I gotta get to bed. I said an hour ago I was going to bed, and got into reading blogs and Facebook! My own fault, but I'm outta here now!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Relaxation
There is an apparent theme running through Bloggerville today. I went to my healing touch treatment this morning, and it was wonderful. W.o.n.d.e.r.f.u.l. Afterward, I came home and all I wanted to do was take a nap! I was so relaxed, so peaceful, without pain. Soooo, I laid down, but I never fell asleep. I simply stretched out and let the peace continue.
When I turned on the computer to read blogs, the first five titles that I read were right in my channel. Two had the word "nap" in them, one "solitude," one "lazy," and one "quiet." That was perfect for today, "take a couple naps, enjoy the solitude and quiet, and just be lazy."
Works for me.
I'm going back on Tuesday for another one.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
When I turned on the computer to read blogs, the first five titles that I read were right in my channel. Two had the word "nap" in them, one "solitude," one "lazy," and one "quiet." That was perfect for today, "take a couple naps, enjoy the solitude and quiet, and just be lazy."
Works for me.
I'm going back on Tuesday for another one.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friends with angels' wings
Well, silly, silly me.
I'm getting to the point of not really wanting to get off the couch. I'm taking Tylenol Arthritis strength, and it eases the pain and stiffness. However, it is strong enough that it almost puts me to sleep. So I'm miserable either way. I've done a few tasks today, but I confess that I've sat on the couch, licking my wounds most of the day. You know, I have felt good for so long that I wasn't even aware of, or rather had forgotten, just how bad it can be without the medication that helps soften the effects of arthritis and fibromyalgia.
A couple hours a friend, Zoë, called to see how I was feeling. She said she thought about calling, then couldn't remember for sure when my surgery was, so decided to not bother me. However, the "little voice" nagged her to call me. I told her I was really missing my medication and why, and she asked if I had tried anything other than medicinal. Ding, ding, ding!! The bells rang in my head. I'm so glad she called, because she reminded me of a gift.
My friend Linda, who has been accompanying me to all my appointments, acting as an extra set of ears and another voice, being the best support imaginable in so many ways, called me a few days ago with an amazing gift! She arranged with another friend, Lynne, to do a trade of services.
Linda is an artist. She works mostly on silk with dye, but does acrylic and watercolor paintings as well. She makes beautiful wearable art, as well, dye on silk scarves and recently some silk blouses. I have one of her scarves and a watercolor on my wall, too.
Lynne is a nurse who has been trained and does training in Healing Touch Massage . I've not had the pleasure of experiencing this, and looked forward to a time when I could do so. Lynne has told Linda that she needs one of her paintings. Recently a bunch of us were at her house, and she took Linda into one room and pointed at a spot on the wall. She said, "I need something of yours here."
So, why Linda called was to let me know that she arranged with Lynne to trade one of her artworks for Lynne to give me an equal value of massage!! I was supposed to call Lynne and arrange it. I was not sure whether I should do it prior to surgery for the preparation or afterward for healing benefits.
The thing is .... I forgot to call and talk to Lynne! If our mutual friend has not called today to remind me of the massage, I might not have remembered it at all!! I don't think well when I don't feel well, and this is proof positive! Geez, I'm such a goober at times!
I talked with Lynne, and I'm seeing her tomorrow morning for the first massage. Oh, heavenly days, I can hardly wait! I don't know the monetary value, so I wasn't sure what I'm due, but I assumed one massage. When I called her I asked if it would be better to have the massage before or after surgery, and she promptly said "both." She said to consider it gift that keep on giving or something similar. (I can't remember the term she used; see how foggy I get?) I will have another a few days after the surgery. Oh, amazing! I just got a second wind that will help to carry me into next week.
What a wonderful gift! And what loving friends I am blessed to have in my life.
I'm getting to the point of not really wanting to get off the couch. I'm taking Tylenol Arthritis strength, and it eases the pain and stiffness. However, it is strong enough that it almost puts me to sleep. So I'm miserable either way. I've done a few tasks today, but I confess that I've sat on the couch, licking my wounds most of the day. You know, I have felt good for so long that I wasn't even aware of, or rather had forgotten, just how bad it can be without the medication that helps soften the effects of arthritis and fibromyalgia.
A couple hours a friend, Zoë, called to see how I was feeling. She said she thought about calling, then couldn't remember for sure when my surgery was, so decided to not bother me. However, the "little voice" nagged her to call me. I told her I was really missing my medication and why, and she asked if I had tried anything other than medicinal. Ding, ding, ding!! The bells rang in my head. I'm so glad she called, because she reminded me of a gift.
My friend Linda, who has been accompanying me to all my appointments, acting as an extra set of ears and another voice, being the best support imaginable in so many ways, called me a few days ago with an amazing gift! She arranged with another friend, Lynne, to do a trade of services.
Linda is an artist. She works mostly on silk with dye, but does acrylic and watercolor paintings as well. She makes beautiful wearable art, as well, dye on silk scarves and recently some silk blouses. I have one of her scarves and a watercolor on my wall, too.
Lynne is a nurse who has been trained and does training in Healing Touch Massage . I've not had the pleasure of experiencing this, and looked forward to a time when I could do so. Lynne has told Linda that she needs one of her paintings. Recently a bunch of us were at her house, and she took Linda into one room and pointed at a spot on the wall. She said, "I need something of yours here."
So, why Linda called was to let me know that she arranged with Lynne to trade one of her artworks for Lynne to give me an equal value of massage!! I was supposed to call Lynne and arrange it. I was not sure whether I should do it prior to surgery for the preparation or afterward for healing benefits.
The thing is .... I forgot to call and talk to Lynne! If our mutual friend has not called today to remind me of the massage, I might not have remembered it at all!! I don't think well when I don't feel well, and this is proof positive! Geez, I'm such a goober at times!
I talked with Lynne, and I'm seeing her tomorrow morning for the first massage. Oh, heavenly days, I can hardly wait! I don't know the monetary value, so I wasn't sure what I'm due, but I assumed one massage. When I called her I asked if it would be better to have the massage before or after surgery, and she promptly said "both." She said to consider it gift that keep on giving or something similar. (I can't remember the term she used; see how foggy I get?) I will have another a few days after the surgery. Oh, amazing! I just got a second wind that will help to carry me into next week.
What a wonderful gift! And what loving friends I am blessed to have in my life.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Three. Five. What's in a number, anyway?
Apparently, there is more than I anticipated.
OK, this is day three without meds (anti-inflamatory) for arthritis and fibromyalgia, and I'm beginning to really feel it. My joints are feeling stiffer and achy, and my muscles are feeling it. Just five more days. That's all, just five.
Keep saying the mantra with me .... Just five more.
gah.
OK, this is day three without meds (anti-inflamatory) for arthritis and fibromyalgia, and I'm beginning to really feel it. My joints are feeling stiffer and achy, and my muscles are feeling it. Just five more days. That's all, just five.
Keep saying the mantra with me .... Just five more.
gah.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Ponderings
Less than a week till surgery. I had to stop all medications and supplements, even my daily vitamin. I have only two prescriptions, one is a daily anti-inflammatory for mild arthritis and fibromyalgia, the other is a muscle relaxer to help me relax enough to sleep when my muscles are aching, which I just take occasionally as I need it. It won't be too bad to do without the anti-inflammatory, and I can actually take the otherr. The concern is anything that might think my blood; avoiding free bleeding is a priority, of course. But who knew that a daily vitamin or an omega supplement would be no-nos?
I guess I'm having a little stress that I'm not noticing. I've discovered I'm apparently grinding my teeth at night. The last couple days my teeth have been extremely sensitive and achy, especially the two lower front teeth. Dang, my whole mouth hurts! When I try to avoid putting my teeth together during the day, it makes my jaw ache, so it's a lose/lose situation. I bought a bite guard today to help me avoid this. I have put the guard in, just trying it out as I'm typing this, and it really helps! In a half-hour, I've quit hurting! I didn't think I'd been carrying any tension, but obviously I don't know everything!
I went into the hospital in Ruidoso to have an EKG, the last of the tests before surgery. It was perfect, of course. After that I picked up dog food and salt for the water softener. Stopped at WalMart for some last minute things, such as the bite guard. I think I'm pretty much stocked up and ready for a few weeks of laying around. I'll have to send TL for a few things like milk or eggs, but nothing serious.
In the last few weeks I've reconnected with a couple other former classmates from high school. Both are guys I barely knew back then, but as we've encountered each other somewhere online, we've begun some interesting conversations. One lives in Salt Lake City, the other in Hawaii. It is fun to find out about what people have been doing through the years, and I've been struck with the fact that I've found valued friends in people I hardly knew and conversely, people that were friends back then have grown apart through the years. Odd, isn't it?
The man in Hawaii has traveled a lot in his life, lived for a couple years in India and encountered many interesting people and ideas. He shares some spiritual paths with me, and I'm feeling a great deal of comfort talking with him. He has shared some information with me that has encouraged me to look into some DVDs to watch during convalescence, books to look into, etc. It has been really comforting, a individual journeys.
The man in Salt Lake City is a PhD/MD, involved mostly in research, and it has been enlightening to talk with him. Learning about the course of each other's life has been so interesting. Sometimes when he asks questions of me, I learn a lot about myself as I answer them, and conversely when he tells me about his life, it makes me consider more deeply about similar events in my own life. So while finding out about his life, I'm also being more introspective into my own.
I'm reminded in the finding of these two gentlemen about the treasures with which we are gifted as we travel our paths. Thank goodness we meet or re-meet people to shake our lives up a little, to give us pause to think about how things have unfolded, to realize the fortunes we possess that we don't even think of until someone asks us something new or shares their own stories for our comparison. With our every day friends, we fall into patterns and after a while, may not think out of the box much. A new acquaintance stirs the waters and brings that which has settled to the bottom up for review. What fun!
I have had conversations in the last few days with several friends my age about aging. In some ways, it just sucks, because we still feel vital and active, but we are reminded of reduced stamina and strength in many tasks. and then there is that occasional glance in the mirror that bring up a startled realization of, "Oh, when did that happen? How did I get this old?" It's usually fleeting. Most times I look in the mirror and see me, the face I'm used to, the silver hair, the wrinkles, the skin that is beginning to sag. It's no surprise, except for those once in a while moments when I think "WTF??" I dislike being less capable of taking care of things and of myself. I wish I didn't have to rely on others so much for the things I used to do without a second thought by myself. And yet .... the richness of the fabric of my life is invaluable. I wouldn't trade my life experiences for the opportunity to be young again. Nope. Life is good. In fact .....
It's been a while since I said that, hasn't it? :)
I guess I'm having a little stress that I'm not noticing. I've discovered I'm apparently grinding my teeth at night. The last couple days my teeth have been extremely sensitive and achy, especially the two lower front teeth. Dang, my whole mouth hurts! When I try to avoid putting my teeth together during the day, it makes my jaw ache, so it's a lose/lose situation. I bought a bite guard today to help me avoid this. I have put the guard in, just trying it out as I'm typing this, and it really helps! In a half-hour, I've quit hurting! I didn't think I'd been carrying any tension, but obviously I don't know everything!
I went into the hospital in Ruidoso to have an EKG, the last of the tests before surgery. It was perfect, of course. After that I picked up dog food and salt for the water softener. Stopped at WalMart for some last minute things, such as the bite guard. I think I'm pretty much stocked up and ready for a few weeks of laying around. I'll have to send TL for a few things like milk or eggs, but nothing serious.
In the last few weeks I've reconnected with a couple other former classmates from high school. Both are guys I barely knew back then, but as we've encountered each other somewhere online, we've begun some interesting conversations. One lives in Salt Lake City, the other in Hawaii. It is fun to find out about what people have been doing through the years, and I've been struck with the fact that I've found valued friends in people I hardly knew and conversely, people that were friends back then have grown apart through the years. Odd, isn't it?
The man in Hawaii has traveled a lot in his life, lived for a couple years in India and encountered many interesting people and ideas. He shares some spiritual paths with me, and I'm feeling a great deal of comfort talking with him. He has shared some information with me that has encouraged me to look into some DVDs to watch during convalescence, books to look into, etc. It has been really comforting, a individual journeys.
The man in Salt Lake City is a PhD/MD, involved mostly in research, and it has been enlightening to talk with him. Learning about the course of each other's life has been so interesting. Sometimes when he asks questions of me, I learn a lot about myself as I answer them, and conversely when he tells me about his life, it makes me consider more deeply about similar events in my own life. So while finding out about his life, I'm also being more introspective into my own.
I'm reminded in the finding of these two gentlemen about the treasures with which we are gifted as we travel our paths. Thank goodness we meet or re-meet people to shake our lives up a little, to give us pause to think about how things have unfolded, to realize the fortunes we possess that we don't even think of until someone asks us something new or shares their own stories for our comparison. With our every day friends, we fall into patterns and after a while, may not think out of the box much. A new acquaintance stirs the waters and brings that which has settled to the bottom up for review. What fun!
I have had conversations in the last few days with several friends my age about aging. In some ways, it just sucks, because we still feel vital and active, but we are reminded of reduced stamina and strength in many tasks. and then there is that occasional glance in the mirror that bring up a startled realization of, "Oh, when did that happen? How did I get this old?" It's usually fleeting. Most times I look in the mirror and see me, the face I'm used to, the silver hair, the wrinkles, the skin that is beginning to sag. It's no surprise, except for those once in a while moments when I think "WTF??" I dislike being less capable of taking care of things and of myself. I wish I didn't have to rely on others so much for the things I used to do without a second thought by myself. And yet .... the richness of the fabric of my life is invaluable. I wouldn't trade my life experiences for the opportunity to be young again. Nope. Life is good. In fact .....
....Life is beautiful!!!!
It's been a while since I said that, hasn't it? :)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Random Me
I was looking for a picture or two that I'd taken recently to inspire me for a post, and nothing grabbed me. Then I saw some pictures of me that I scanned a little while back, and decided to pick a few random snapshots of me. What's better than ME???? Right??
I like this one of me with my kids in about 1973. We were at my brother and sister-in-law's home, and if memory serves correctly, my SIL said something like, "You guys act like you really like your mom." It worked!
This I'm just putting here because of my own amazement when I saw how teeny my waist was! Good grief! It must be four times that now!! OK, OK, not four. But more than two!! And what was with that cheesy grin? I donno. I'm trying to remember who took this picture. That's my SIL and my boyfriend, but my brother was off in the Army. Who the heck was there??? Obviously my memory doesn't last almost 60 years.
Would you look at this sweet angelic face? How adorable is this child and her kitten? I must have been about four here.
Again, I was just too cute for words!
So how can I explain that this picture of me, taken a year or more earlier, shows a very different side of the "angel"? See that smudgy face? My sister's lipstick. She would have been about 15 or 16, and the fact that I used it up like that I'm sure infuriated her. Not only that, but if you look again, you can see that I applied the lipstick to my thighs, as well. yeah, that tube of "Siren Crimson" or whatever it was, was probably done for. Do the Shirley Temple curls make up for it?? Probably not.
Now before you see the next one, you have to hear the story. This was in 1974 or early 1975. I had been to the grocery store, and the kids were helping me unpack and put away. I pulled two heads of cabbage out, one in each hand, and one of the kids asked me a question. I stopped to listen, holding the cabbages in front of me, breast level. Suddenly one of the kids started laughing hysterically. I asked what was so funny, and I was told that it looked like I had two green boobs!
Well, one thing leads to another, right?
What can I say? I was as silly as my kids in those days.
Alright, now that I've embarrassed myself thoroughly, I think I'll call it a day.
Yeah, that's probably best.
I like this one of me with my kids in about 1973. We were at my brother and sister-in-law's home, and if memory serves correctly, my SIL said something like, "You guys act like you really like your mom." It worked!
This I'm just putting here because of my own amazement when I saw how teeny my waist was! Good grief! It must be four times that now!! OK, OK, not four. But more than two!! And what was with that cheesy grin? I donno. I'm trying to remember who took this picture. That's my SIL and my boyfriend, but my brother was off in the Army. Who the heck was there??? Obviously my memory doesn't last almost 60 years.
Would you look at this sweet angelic face? How adorable is this child and her kitten? I must have been about four here.
Again, I was just too cute for words!
So how can I explain that this picture of me, taken a year or more earlier, shows a very different side of the "angel"? See that smudgy face? My sister's lipstick. She would have been about 15 or 16, and the fact that I used it up like that I'm sure infuriated her. Not only that, but if you look again, you can see that I applied the lipstick to my thighs, as well. yeah, that tube of "Siren Crimson" or whatever it was, was probably done for. Do the Shirley Temple curls make up for it?? Probably not.
Now before you see the next one, you have to hear the story. This was in 1974 or early 1975. I had been to the grocery store, and the kids were helping me unpack and put away. I pulled two heads of cabbage out, one in each hand, and one of the kids asked me a question. I stopped to listen, holding the cabbages in front of me, breast level. Suddenly one of the kids started laughing hysterically. I asked what was so funny, and I was told that it looked like I had two green boobs!
Well, one thing leads to another, right?
What can I say? I was as silly as my kids in those days.
Alright, now that I've embarrassed myself thoroughly, I think I'll call it a day.
Yeah, that's probably best.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Mild moments
I'm feeling .... something .... today. The closest think I can say is melancholy, but that's not quite it. Melancholy has a sad component to it, and I'm not really sad. Perhaps it would be better to say my mood is mellow? But mellow indicates a mood that has a sweetness, and that's not quite right either. Introspective, perhaps. Neutrally introspective. That's how I woke this morning, with gentle thoughts going through my mind, reminiscing.
There didn't seem to be any theme or pattern to my thoughts this morning. I've simply had a stream of thoughts wafting through my head, like a movie with unrelated clips strung together. Interestingly, nothing particular even comes to my forethought now, so I can't even tell you what some topics were. Isn't that odd?
I think it is probably a fairly normal thing as one approaches a momentous event, in my case a surgery. I remember having a similar time before a surgery in 1996. But it might be triggered by a birth or a death, leaving behind a long time home in a move, a marriage, or numerous other important events in our lives. I remember some of the same while preparing to leave my home of 30 years in Kansas City, and prior to the weddings of my kids in the 90s, also.
Do you do this? I think most people do. What's the last time you had a mellow, melancholy, or whatever kind of day? Care to share what it was all about?
There didn't seem to be any theme or pattern to my thoughts this morning. I've simply had a stream of thoughts wafting through my head, like a movie with unrelated clips strung together. Interestingly, nothing particular even comes to my forethought now, so I can't even tell you what some topics were. Isn't that odd?
I think it is probably a fairly normal thing as one approaches a momentous event, in my case a surgery. I remember having a similar time before a surgery in 1996. But it might be triggered by a birth or a death, leaving behind a long time home in a move, a marriage, or numerous other important events in our lives. I remember some of the same while preparing to leave my home of 30 years in Kansas City, and prior to the weddings of my kids in the 90s, also.
Do you do this? I think most people do. What's the last time you had a mellow, melancholy, or whatever kind of day? Care to share what it was all about?
Monday, January 11, 2010
A good week
I'm waiting to hear from the doctor's office about scheduling surgery. For the first time in weeks, I'm not on edge or worried, just waiting. That is a very nice thing, for sure. I'm not looking forward to the surgery, but I'm not dreading it, and I will be glad to get this done and put it behind me.
Since Friday, when I got all the facts about my situation and made a decision about how to proceed, a big weight was lifted from my shoulders. I have slept like a rock every night since then! Wow, it is so good to be feeling in control again! The unknown was eating me up.
I have had much warmer weather over the weekend, and it has melted about half of the remaining snow. It was 50° yesterday. I think about a third of the ground is now visible. It is good to know it is soaking into the soil, replenishing the much needed moisture. I hope we get enough to keep the forest fires pushed away for the summer. Of course, now this means we will be dealling with a lot of mud for a while, a prospect I'm not crazy about. These pups will track in so much mud! I am going to be cleaning the tile in the next couple days, and I know it will be something that I'll have to repeat frequently. gah.
Other than that, this warm weather is so welcome! It has been a long cold streak, a long snowy streak, and I'm glad it is ended. mid to upper 40s for the next 10 days looks wonderful, even with a couple days that include some possible snow showers. It won't stick around with temps that high.
So this week is off to a good start. Not that exciting for a post, but I'm glad to see it. It's all good. :)
Since Friday, when I got all the facts about my situation and made a decision about how to proceed, a big weight was lifted from my shoulders. I have slept like a rock every night since then! Wow, it is so good to be feeling in control again! The unknown was eating me up.
I have had much warmer weather over the weekend, and it has melted about half of the remaining snow. It was 50° yesterday. I think about a third of the ground is now visible. It is good to know it is soaking into the soil, replenishing the much needed moisture. I hope we get enough to keep the forest fires pushed away for the summer. Of course, now this means we will be dealling with a lot of mud for a while, a prospect I'm not crazy about. These pups will track in so much mud! I am going to be cleaning the tile in the next couple days, and I know it will be something that I'll have to repeat frequently. gah.
Other than that, this warm weather is so welcome! It has been a long cold streak, a long snowy streak, and I'm glad it is ended. mid to upper 40s for the next 10 days looks wonderful, even with a couple days that include some possible snow showers. It won't stick around with temps that high.
So this week is off to a good start. Not that exciting for a post, but I'm glad to see it. It's all good. :)
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Cold and Dogs (as opposed to hotdogs?)
Officially, it is 21°. However, the official location closest to me is around 1000 feet lower than where I live. I have not seen my thermometers over 20° today, a long shot from the 34° that was forecast. Currently it says 16.1° right now. Well, if it's gonna be cold, it's just gonna be cold.
Here's one of the nice things about this weather ......
I've been thinking more about the dogs and how well they've got my number. And boy, do they! Either they are smart little buggers or I am extremely predictable! Yeah, probably a combination with emphasis on b.o.r.i.n.g me!
These guys really do have me figured out. I don't think that is too bad. Consistency, patterns of expectation, predictability are things they need, just like two-legged children. Since they all came out of unknown circumstances, obviously bad for some of them, that predictability has helped them to adjust. Knowing what to expect gives them the ability to learn the better behaviors, and most important, to relax and feel like this is a good place. They know what the house rules are for the most part.
Boy, I'm lucky. They understand me, and they still like me. What could be any better??
Here's one of the nice things about this weather ......
I've been thinking more about the dogs and how well they've got my number. And boy, do they! Either they are smart little buggers or I am extremely predictable! Yeah, probably a combination with emphasis on b.o.r.i.n.g me!
- When I get up in the morning, Sammy knows my routine. If I reach for my glasses on the night table, he knows I'm getting up for the day, and Sam is on the floor before my feet are!! If I don't put my glasses on, I'm just going to the bathroom and back in bed. Sam just rolls over and goes back to sleep!
- When it is bedtime, they all know if I'm really going to bed, rather than going to the kitchen or some other place and back to the couch. How? I close the laptop! The screen goes down, and they all high-tail it to the bedroom!
- They hear animals on TV or car sounds, and they think it it outside here. If I say "It's on TV" quickly enough, they stop before running outside barking! Nowadays, Sammy starts for the door, ready to bark at the trespassing [fill in the blank] on our property, but before he goes out the door, he slows his pace a bit and kinda looks at me as if waiting for further instruction .... "Do I go ahead and bark or is this an "on TV" thing, Mom?" Lawdy, he cracks me up!
- If I get out the dogs' brush, they all get very excited. Again, it is the treats. After I brush each one, (s)he gets a little treat, then when everyone is done, they each get one more. So on sight of the brush, everyone runs to me! Except Lola. Lola runs and hides where she can "be safe." She usually hides under a chair, and she likes the one with a shawl draped over it, because she puts her head under the end of the shawl, near the floor, and peeks out, as if I can't see her!! What a goofball! Once the others are done, I pull her out, brush her and she gets the treat.
- They've also learned that when one or more do something wrong, I will pick up the item (a chewed up [fill in the blank]) or point to the no-no, and before the words "What is this?" leave my lips, the offending pup puts his/her head down and cringes! I rarely have to guess who is the culprit who tore up tissues (that's usually Jazi), or chewed up a shoe (Sammy, once in a while Lola), knocked things off the coffee table (Lola's "trick"), chewed up the pen (that can be anyone!). All I have to do is ask "What is this?" or "Who did this?" several times while holding it out for everyone to see, and it's over. They are good Catholic dogs; they bring their own guilt to the confessional! BTW, Jazi has discovered that if I don't close the bottom drawer of my night stand all the way, she can maneuver a paw or her head in and pull out tissues. Occasionally she pulls out one for everyone, and they have a confetti party! Well, they confetti what they don't eat. It's a miracle these dogs' intestines are still working!
These guys really do have me figured out. I don't think that is too bad. Consistency, patterns of expectation, predictability are things they need, just like two-legged children. Since they all came out of unknown circumstances, obviously bad for some of them, that predictability has helped them to adjust. Knowing what to expect gives them the ability to learn the better behaviors, and most important, to relax and feel like this is a good place. They know what the house rules are for the most part.
Boy, I'm lucky. They understand me, and they still like me. What could be any better??
What a hoar!
HA!! You think I'm talking dirty and can't spell, right? Nope, but read on and you'll understand.
Day before yesterday one of the bucks that grew up here came by for a short visit. He grazed not far from my back door for around thirty minutes. Notice how the ground is still completely covered? There was actually a small area about a foot square that had no snow, and it was at the base of a tree just off the right edge of this photo.
Yesterday it reached about 55° , and I noticed quite a bit of melting. This is the same area, but the tree trunk on the far left side is the one behind the stag's head in the previous shot. You can see how much melted with that nice warm are and sunshine.
Even my north driveway, which gets almost no direct sun in the winter, melted a lot. This is the drive that I was going down and ended up getting stuck. Yep, I'm really glad to see it melting!
The other end of the drive is on the east, and it has had good conditions for melting. It gets sun in the morning and through early afternoon. I've had no trouble with the snow pack here, but I'm glad to see it getting thawed.
This morning I woke to see fog everywhere, and it was around 20-21°. The fog gradually lifted, but temperatures fell to 13° at 10:00! Day-umm! As the fog disappeared, I could see a few snowflakes floating down, very lazily. And I could begin to see the trees that were covered with a thick hoar frost. You can see in the following pictures that it almost looked like snow, but since it was from a freezing fog, the ice crystals are surrounding many of the branches, not just on top as snow does.
Boy, it was really pretty! IS pretty, because the ice is still there. It is nearly 11:00 and the temperature has gone back up to a toasty warm 15°!! The weather folks say it will get to 34°, but I have my doubts. Wait and see. That's all I can do.
I had planned to run to the post office and mail a couple packages today, but I think I'll stay in. There is nothing urgent in them, and it's just silly to go out in this cold unless I need to. I can mail them on my way to Albuquerque tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'll be thinking of all of you as I sip my hot chocolate on the couch with five dogs keeping me warm!
;D
Day before yesterday one of the bucks that grew up here came by for a short visit. He grazed not far from my back door for around thirty minutes. Notice how the ground is still completely covered? There was actually a small area about a foot square that had no snow, and it was at the base of a tree just off the right edge of this photo.
Yesterday it reached about 55° , and I noticed quite a bit of melting. This is the same area, but the tree trunk on the far left side is the one behind the stag's head in the previous shot. You can see how much melted with that nice warm are and sunshine.
Even my north driveway, which gets almost no direct sun in the winter, melted a lot. This is the drive that I was going down and ended up getting stuck. Yep, I'm really glad to see it melting!
The other end of the drive is on the east, and it has had good conditions for melting. It gets sun in the morning and through early afternoon. I've had no trouble with the snow pack here, but I'm glad to see it getting thawed.
This morning I woke to see fog everywhere, and it was around 20-21°. The fog gradually lifted, but temperatures fell to 13° at 10:00! Day-umm! As the fog disappeared, I could see a few snowflakes floating down, very lazily. And I could begin to see the trees that were covered with a thick hoar frost. You can see in the following pictures that it almost looked like snow, but since it was from a freezing fog, the ice crystals are surrounding many of the branches, not just on top as snow does.
Boy, it was really pretty! IS pretty, because the ice is still there. It is nearly 11:00 and the temperature has gone back up to a toasty warm 15°!! The weather folks say it will get to 34°, but I have my doubts. Wait and see. That's all I can do.
I had planned to run to the post office and mail a couple packages today, but I think I'll stay in. There is nothing urgent in them, and it's just silly to go out in this cold unless I need to. I can mail them on my way to Albuquerque tomorrow. Meanwhile, I'll be thinking of all of you as I sip my hot chocolate on the couch with five dogs keeping me warm!
;D
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
A Proposal
From Lyn:
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY THIS AND EMAIL IT, PUT IT ON YOUR BLOG OR FACEBOOK OR MYSPACE PAGE. IN FACT, LET'S ALL SEND THIS TO OUR "PEOPLE" IN DC!!
~~~~
This is probably the wildest, most outlandish, bizarre, incredible - but sensible proposal that I've seen in recent times...This sounds like "change" that I could support... Let's spread this concept around - Many others may see the wisdom of this and get the "grass roots" growing.
I LIKE IT!!!!
THIS IS HOW YOU FIX CONGRESS!
I am sending this to virtually all my close friends and relatives and that includes conservatives, liberals, and everybody in between. Even though we disagree on a number of issues, I count all of you as friends. The proposal is to promote a "Congressional Reform Act of 2009." It would contain eight provisions, all of which would probably be strongly endorsed by those who drafted the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (but not the incumbants).
I know many of you will say, "this is impossible." Let me remind you, Congress has the lowest approval of any entity in Government, now is the time when Americans will join together to reform Congress - the entity that represents us.
We need to get a Senator to introduce this bill in the US Senate and a Representative to introduce a similar bill in the US House. These people will become American heroes.. Please add any ideas on how to get this done.
Thanks,
A Fellow American
***********************************
Congressional Reform Act of 2009
1. Term Limits: 12 years only, one of the possible options below.
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
2. No Tenure / No Pension:
A congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security:
All funds in the Congressional retirement fund moves to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, Congress participates with the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, server your term(s), then go home and back to work.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan just as all Americans..
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
7. Congress must equally abide in all laws they impose on the American people..
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
8. All contracts with past and present congressmen are void effective 1/1/10.
The American people did not make this contract with congressmen, congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, serve your term(s), then go home and back to work.
Please Keep this Circulating
Bedtime at my house
I get tickled at my dogs. Bet you didn't know that, right? Yeah, yeah.
Anyway, when we go to bed they get a treat. These treats are dispensed in the same order every night. Over time, they have learned to line up in that order from my right to my left and wait with eager eyes and quivering tails. Jazi, Joey, Sammy, Lola on the edge of the bed, and Max is beside my feet on the floor. It works very well. Occasionally Joey or Sammy will get in the line out of order. When that happens, I just look at them, treats in my hand, and say, "Something's not right. Is everyone where they are supposed to be?" Once is a while I say it twice, but most times, they change places very quickly! They don't want to waste time getting the treat! It is so funny to watch them.
This first shot is bad, as I grabbed the camera without paying attention to the settings. Can you believe the setting for "snow" doesn't work well inside the house?? However, this is how they usually line up on the bed.
Look at Jazi licking her lips in anticipation. I changed the setting, and I couldn't get the line up like that again. As you see in the next pic, they were getting antsy waiting for their treat. Lola looks like she has given up!
Lolita, Sammy, Joey, Jazmyn
Meanwhile, Max in on the floor, waiting very patiently. The reason his tail is a blur? It is wiggling like crazy as he waits for the treat.
And once they get the treat .... "OK, we're done, now let me find the best space on the bed!"
I love these little guys. Betcha didn't know that, either. :)
Anyway, when we go to bed they get a treat. These treats are dispensed in the same order every night. Over time, they have learned to line up in that order from my right to my left and wait with eager eyes and quivering tails. Jazi, Joey, Sammy, Lola on the edge of the bed, and Max is beside my feet on the floor. It works very well. Occasionally Joey or Sammy will get in the line out of order. When that happens, I just look at them, treats in my hand, and say, "Something's not right. Is everyone where they are supposed to be?" Once is a while I say it twice, but most times, they change places very quickly! They don't want to waste time getting the treat! It is so funny to watch them.
This first shot is bad, as I grabbed the camera without paying attention to the settings. Can you believe the setting for "snow" doesn't work well inside the house?? However, this is how they usually line up on the bed.
Look at Jazi licking her lips in anticipation. I changed the setting, and I couldn't get the line up like that again. As you see in the next pic, they were getting antsy waiting for their treat. Lola looks like she has given up!
Lolita, Sammy, Joey, Jazmyn
Meanwhile, Max in on the floor, waiting very patiently. The reason his tail is a blur? It is wiggling like crazy as he waits for the treat.
And once they get the treat .... "OK, we're done, now let me find the best space on the bed!"
I love these little guys. Betcha didn't know that, either. :)
Monday, January 04, 2010
Traditions
I read another blog today about post-Christmas blues, sadness about packing away the decorations, etc. It started me thinking about something.
When my children were young, of course I decorated and lavished every gift and accoutrement on them. The tree usually went up the weekend after Thanksgiving. We spent real quality time making homemade ornaments, decorating the house, making lists, visiting Santa at the mall, the works. We did Christmas Eve services at church, made the family's favorite holiday foods, took pictures as if another Christmas would never happen. A big deal was made about leaving the snack for Santa and having some special foods for our breakfast. We played Christmas music a lot through the holiday season, but especially Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We pretty much did it all.
After Christmas, the tree stayed up till New Year's Day. Then we all got together and while the kids took the decorations off the tree, I sat at the table and wrapped or boxed each one, packing them into storage boxes and ultimately storing it all away till the next year. It was all organized, routine, and it gave us plenty of time to talk about the holiday, the gifts, remember about who made which ornament, etc.
Following the usual pattern put parenthesis on each end of the holiday. I sometimes had some holiday blues, but not much. It was a little sad to pack it away, but it was nicely tied up and neat. Now we had the house back to normal, clean, and life as usual is back.
As the kids grew up and moved away to begin lives on their own, I found that following that same pattern didn't give me the same feeling of completeness. Even if the kids, and eventually the grandkids, were there for the holiday, it was different. The "parenthesis," the beginning and ending rituals, no longer included the traditional processing of the events, the chatter, the fun of past years as when we did these things as a family. The decorating and un-decorating was left to my husband and me or sometimes just me. The decorating was not bad, but the disassembling of it all was very saddening.
In the last few years of his life, my husband and I didn't decorate every year. If we weren't having any of the family home, it just wasn't that important. To be honest, I didn't want to do it because it was so much trouble and made me even more aware of not having kids with us. Since he passed away, I've come to a new understanding of the holiday. It is totally up to me to decide how I celebrate, and I've come to a real peace with it all.
Since he passed away, I've celebrated several different ways, different places, different degrees of decorating. This year, I did nothing. Seriously, nothing at all. Interestingly, the holiday has come and gone and I have zero letdown! I've enjoyed myself a lot through the holiday, spending time and dining with friends. I've listened to the music at times, enjoyed decorations in town. I've made some of the traditional foods. In many ways, this has been the best holiday season in a long time, because I have had fun, but I haven't stressed out over the details. It has been nice.
After reading that other blog, I thought about this for a while. I've remembered different years and thought about how I celebrated and how I was emotionally responsive to it. Times when the tradition was followed and the whole family was present, it was good. Without the majority of the family to join the set up and break down, it was just that .... setting it up and breaking it down. It wasn't tradition. That often made me sad. These days I don't have much tradition. I do whatever strikes me. Interestingly, I don't have the post holiday blues.
I've spent these last few Christmases in a variety of ways, and I haven't followed much of the tradition, but I've spent every one in happy circumstances. Even this one, I've been without family at all. I didn't decorate a speck. However, I spent more time in thoughtful retrospection. I've had quiet, spiritual times, and I have come out on this end feeling like I'm in a good place. Even dealing with the health issues, I've made it through with minimal blues. It seems to me the less hullabaloo that goes on, the more I'm able to relax and connect with the spiritual part of the season.
Tradition is good, don't misunderstand me. It is what connects generations. This year, while listening to "Silent Night," I sang harmony to the voice coming out of the sound system. I used to sing harmony at candlelight services, and my daughter loved it. That is one place where she feels a strong connection. And some sadness, too. But it is good. My own tradition of singing harmony gave her something that connects us and will until we are both gone from this earth. But if tradition takes over and consumes you, leaving you sad at the end, is it good? If those traditions overpower the "reason for the season" is it worth it? My more spiritual times are do very dear to me, and I'm glad I found more of them this year.
And there is the question. How do you spend your holiday? Do you have a lot of tradition? Is your holiday season filled with activities and hoopla? Do you crash and burn at the end, much like the end of a sugar rush? How much does your spirituality enter into your holiday? Are you passing a tradition of hype or hope? Understand, I'm not judging, 'cause I've been at both ends of the continuum myself. I'm just curious about how people celebrate and what traditions are coming out of their practices.
You can leave a note here, or if you want to write a more extensive accounting, leave a note, and I will follow to your own blog to read it.
When my children were young, of course I decorated and lavished every gift and accoutrement on them. The tree usually went up the weekend after Thanksgiving. We spent real quality time making homemade ornaments, decorating the house, making lists, visiting Santa at the mall, the works. We did Christmas Eve services at church, made the family's favorite holiday foods, took pictures as if another Christmas would never happen. A big deal was made about leaving the snack for Santa and having some special foods for our breakfast. We played Christmas music a lot through the holiday season, but especially Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We pretty much did it all.
After Christmas, the tree stayed up till New Year's Day. Then we all got together and while the kids took the decorations off the tree, I sat at the table and wrapped or boxed each one, packing them into storage boxes and ultimately storing it all away till the next year. It was all organized, routine, and it gave us plenty of time to talk about the holiday, the gifts, remember about who made which ornament, etc.
Following the usual pattern put parenthesis on each end of the holiday. I sometimes had some holiday blues, but not much. It was a little sad to pack it away, but it was nicely tied up and neat. Now we had the house back to normal, clean, and life as usual is back.
As the kids grew up and moved away to begin lives on their own, I found that following that same pattern didn't give me the same feeling of completeness. Even if the kids, and eventually the grandkids, were there for the holiday, it was different. The "parenthesis," the beginning and ending rituals, no longer included the traditional processing of the events, the chatter, the fun of past years as when we did these things as a family. The decorating and un-decorating was left to my husband and me or sometimes just me. The decorating was not bad, but the disassembling of it all was very saddening.
In the last few years of his life, my husband and I didn't decorate every year. If we weren't having any of the family home, it just wasn't that important. To be honest, I didn't want to do it because it was so much trouble and made me even more aware of not having kids with us. Since he passed away, I've come to a new understanding of the holiday. It is totally up to me to decide how I celebrate, and I've come to a real peace with it all.
Since he passed away, I've celebrated several different ways, different places, different degrees of decorating. This year, I did nothing. Seriously, nothing at all. Interestingly, the holiday has come and gone and I have zero letdown! I've enjoyed myself a lot through the holiday, spending time and dining with friends. I've listened to the music at times, enjoyed decorations in town. I've made some of the traditional foods. In many ways, this has been the best holiday season in a long time, because I have had fun, but I haven't stressed out over the details. It has been nice.
After reading that other blog, I thought about this for a while. I've remembered different years and thought about how I celebrated and how I was emotionally responsive to it. Times when the tradition was followed and the whole family was present, it was good. Without the majority of the family to join the set up and break down, it was just that .... setting it up and breaking it down. It wasn't tradition. That often made me sad. These days I don't have much tradition. I do whatever strikes me. Interestingly, I don't have the post holiday blues.
I've spent these last few Christmases in a variety of ways, and I haven't followed much of the tradition, but I've spent every one in happy circumstances. Even this one, I've been without family at all. I didn't decorate a speck. However, I spent more time in thoughtful retrospection. I've had quiet, spiritual times, and I have come out on this end feeling like I'm in a good place. Even dealing with the health issues, I've made it through with minimal blues. It seems to me the less hullabaloo that goes on, the more I'm able to relax and connect with the spiritual part of the season.
Tradition is good, don't misunderstand me. It is what connects generations. This year, while listening to "Silent Night," I sang harmony to the voice coming out of the sound system. I used to sing harmony at candlelight services, and my daughter loved it. That is one place where she feels a strong connection. And some sadness, too. But it is good. My own tradition of singing harmony gave her something that connects us and will until we are both gone from this earth. But if tradition takes over and consumes you, leaving you sad at the end, is it good? If those traditions overpower the "reason for the season" is it worth it? My more spiritual times are do very dear to me, and I'm glad I found more of them this year.
And there is the question. How do you spend your holiday? Do you have a lot of tradition? Is your holiday season filled with activities and hoopla? Do you crash and burn at the end, much like the end of a sugar rush? How much does your spirituality enter into your holiday? Are you passing a tradition of hype or hope? Understand, I'm not judging, 'cause I've been at both ends of the continuum myself. I'm just curious about how people celebrate and what traditions are coming out of their practices.
You can leave a note here, or if you want to write a more extensive accounting, leave a note, and I will follow to your own blog to read it.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Yeah, yeah!!
OK, OK!! But remember I said this would happen. I say I have nothing and then ......
I went out on my deck a few minutes ago, and found my flag caught in the rain gutter. I pulled it out and found that it had been wet and is frozen! Yep, that's what it looks like!
And while I was out there, I got a couple pretty shots of the beginning of the sunset against the Carizzo Mountains.
But that's all I have for now. Go ahead, laugh. I deserve it!
I went out on my deck a few minutes ago, and found my flag caught in the rain gutter. I pulled it out and found that it had been wet and is frozen! Yep, that's what it looks like!
And while I was out there, I got a couple pretty shots of the beginning of the sunset against the Carizzo Mountains.
But that's all I have for now. Go ahead, laugh. I deserve it!
Nuttin'
I have nothing to say. I've been trying to come up with a post since the last one, two days ago. Actually it has been three days, because I wrote that on New Year's Eve. And I still got nuttin'.
I think I've simply had a lot on my mind, and posting blogs isn't a priority right now. I'm sure this will pass, and probably like many other times, I'll come up with two or three things unexpectedly, now that I've said I have nothing. That's how it seems to go.
Nothing is going on right now, anyway. I could do a meme or other kind of space filler, but I'm not in the mood for that. I'll get back with a post soon.
I think I've simply had a lot on my mind, and posting blogs isn't a priority right now. I'm sure this will pass, and probably like many other times, I'll come up with two or three things unexpectedly, now that I've said I have nothing. That's how it seems to go.
Nothing is going on right now, anyway. I could do a meme or other kind of space filler, but I'm not in the mood for that. I'll get back with a post soon.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Happy New Year!
Good morning, all! Welcome to a new year and a new decade.
Wow, 2010. Hard to believe, for me, anyway. I'm not even sure why, but it is. I suppose it might be because for someone who was born in the first half of the last century, as I was, the change of century was something that seemed to far away that I rarely thought of it until it was here. Now with every year, I'm surprised anew. And now it is especially stunning to realize that a whole decade has passed since the arrival of this century. Trust me, the time goes faster with every year, just as all us "old folks" say! It really does!
I didn't do anything last night. Stayed in, read a couple books while listening to some really nice classical music. I had planned to have some friends over last night for cards or games, food and chatting, but we decided to move everything to today. Mostly, a few wanted to avoid being out on the highways for the obvious reasons. Secondly, we thought about driving on the snow and ice packed roads off the highway, and a few weren't keen on doing that at night. Can't blame them. So we moved our party to today. We will get together this afternoon and have our fun while the drunks are sleeping off hangovers!
Another change is that the numbers of people coming to the party grew and grew, and with the cold weather, we can't use my nice big deck, leaving my smallish house to be very cramped. A friend had talked about doing something, and her house is much larger, so we have simply moved it to her place.
I'm still doing what I planned: a large pot of posolé, black-eyed peas with ham, and a baked brie. The hostess, Lynne, is fixing a ham, and everyone is bringing something .... a side dish, a dessert, or a snack. We're not sure how many are coming, but it looks to be upward of 20. That means, lots of good food, great company, games to play and fun for the day. Woo hoo!! And I didn't have to clean house before they got here! Best deal yet!! LOL!
For those of you who will probably ask, posolé is a Mexican/Native American dish made of pork, red chili, onions, posolé or hominy, and seasonings garlic and oregano are traditional, but I also add cumin and cilantro). It is a traditional New Year's dish for many people in New Mexico. My daughter-in-law is Mexican and she taught me to add shredded cabbage and lime juice just before serving, and it is excellent with that garnish. I almost always fix a pot of posolé for good lulck to start the new year, but I also do black-eyed peas, a tradition before posolé, thanks to my Southern roots. After all, one can't have too much good luck in a year, right?
I did the posolé and black-eyed peas yesterday, and I just began warming them in the crockpots for later. I still need to fix the brie, shred cabbage and cut limes, so I'd better get crackin'! I also have to put a card table in the truck and pick out a couple games to take along. It's gonna be a busy day, a happy day with much fun and good friends. I hope your day is good in whatever way you want!
Wow, 2010. Hard to believe, for me, anyway. I'm not even sure why, but it is. I suppose it might be because for someone who was born in the first half of the last century, as I was, the change of century was something that seemed to far away that I rarely thought of it until it was here. Now with every year, I'm surprised anew. And now it is especially stunning to realize that a whole decade has passed since the arrival of this century. Trust me, the time goes faster with every year, just as all us "old folks" say! It really does!
I didn't do anything last night. Stayed in, read a couple books while listening to some really nice classical music. I had planned to have some friends over last night for cards or games, food and chatting, but we decided to move everything to today. Mostly, a few wanted to avoid being out on the highways for the obvious reasons. Secondly, we thought about driving on the snow and ice packed roads off the highway, and a few weren't keen on doing that at night. Can't blame them. So we moved our party to today. We will get together this afternoon and have our fun while the drunks are sleeping off hangovers!
Another change is that the numbers of people coming to the party grew and grew, and with the cold weather, we can't use my nice big deck, leaving my smallish house to be very cramped. A friend had talked about doing something, and her house is much larger, so we have simply moved it to her place.
I'm still doing what I planned: a large pot of posolé, black-eyed peas with ham, and a baked brie. The hostess, Lynne, is fixing a ham, and everyone is bringing something .... a side dish, a dessert, or a snack. We're not sure how many are coming, but it looks to be upward of 20. That means, lots of good food, great company, games to play and fun for the day. Woo hoo!! And I didn't have to clean house before they got here! Best deal yet!! LOL!
For those of you who will probably ask, posolé is a Mexican/Native American dish made of pork, red chili, onions, posolé or hominy, and seasonings garlic and oregano are traditional, but I also add cumin and cilantro). It is a traditional New Year's dish for many people in New Mexico. My daughter-in-law is Mexican and she taught me to add shredded cabbage and lime juice just before serving, and it is excellent with that garnish. I almost always fix a pot of posolé for good lulck to start the new year, but I also do black-eyed peas, a tradition before posolé, thanks to my Southern roots. After all, one can't have too much good luck in a year, right?
I did the posolé and black-eyed peas yesterday, and I just began warming them in the crockpots for later. I still need to fix the brie, shred cabbage and cut limes, so I'd better get crackin'! I also have to put a card table in the truck and pick out a couple games to take along. It's gonna be a busy day, a happy day with much fun and good friends. I hope your day is good in whatever way you want!
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